Office Bullies Make Work Hard

Office Bullies Make Work Hard

27% of employees say they have felt bullied on the job.

If you think bullying ends on the playground, think again. Many workers say bullying is a part of office culture, according to a survey from CareerBuilder. We’re not talking about wedgies in the breakroom, but non-physical behavior. Think of the quick-tempered boss who screams at staffers in front of colleagues, or the credit-swiping co-worker, or the nasty looks and dismissive remarks intended to make one feel uncomfortable. Nearly half of those targeted say fighting back (with words, that is) proves more effective than going to HR. Either way, it’s a topic that needs to be taken seriously. "Bullying is a serious offense that can disrupt the work environment, impact morale and lower productivity," said Rosemary Haefner, CareerBuilder’s VP of HR. "If you are feeling bullied, keep track of what was said or done and who was present. The more specifics you can provide, the stronger the case you can make for yourself when confronting the bully head-on or reporting the bully to a company authority.”